The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-03-27
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL---SUNDAY, MARCH 27. 1887

1
ish their promenade. Some Of them
60 TO their clubs. others 60 to the
Sunday liquor selling concert halls,
and the gilded youth spends his time
between the Hoffman House palace
liquor saloon and the Delmonico
cafe. Accompanied by young ac
| tor, we'll known in Boston, | visited
both these places. The crowd at the
Hoffman House saloon was large,
aud there were several boisterous
young men there who made as much
noise and drank as much liquor as
possible without attracting the at
tention of light built looking man
who seemed to be the superintend-
ent of the place.
This man was none other than
BILLY" Edwards, the OK champion
pugilist of America. Edwards re-
tired from the pugilistic ring several
years ago, He lives over in Brook
Ign, and owns property worth $40, 900
or $4,000. He is a modest fellow,
never talks fight, and from what [
have seen he is one of the most popu-
lar sporting men in New York City.
Edwards made his last public APP.
pearance as q boxer in contest
against Charles Mitchell several
years ago. He went into the contest
against the best judgment of his
friends, aud the result was that he
was severely whipped. Mitchell was
heavier than Edwards by mauy
pounds, and there was but little
choice as to which was the most sci
entifc. Edwards made game,
strong fight, but he was overmatched
and lost. Ii was his first real defeat,
and it ended his career, so far as
public boxing was concerned. Since
that time, and for a year or so be-
fore, he has been the night superin
teudent at the Hoffman House
saloon. His duty there is some |
times light, though there are times
that 1t becomes necessary for him
to deposit a human burden in
front of the great hotel. This human
burden generally makes more noise
than he should, and il he caunot be
pacifed there Mr.. Edwards removes
him, quietly if possible, but forciby
when all other things fail. 1t is in
deed a surprise to mo that the num-
Der OF removals is not larger. A vast
amount Of liquors Of all sorts is tossed
into the stomach from early morning
until late at night. Some Of the
drinkers remain seated at the small
tables for hours at time, and free
lunch is served to keep them little
longer. There is everything in the
Hoffman saloon to make it attractive
for a man who drinks liquor. The
decorations are beautiful. the oil
paintings superb and the service ex-
cellont. 1t would tempt a saint to
stop just moment and have one
more with convivial companion.
Across the street at DelmOuico's
the sight was a spirited one. The
large cafe was crowded, and it was
with considerable difficulty that my
friend aud myself found two seats.
When the obliging waiter did find
quiet corner we had chance TO look
about, The majority present were
young men, many Of them appearing
as though they were freshmen in
me college. There were a few old
to be sure, but a vast ma
jority OF them were young. They had
a heavy look ABOUT the eyes which to
me denoted either eeplcss nights or
nights Of dissipation,
There were few dining. but the |
were drinking Pommery
and smoking cigarettes. In that room
were more than 100 men, and of that
number ninety-tive were engaged in
drinking. 1t was Sunday, too. A
careless conversation was going on,
md the talk grew louder and their
eyes began to sparkle from the effects
Of the champagne.
" hat after the champagne?
Some went home, but very few.
The vast majority did the rounds of
he concert saloons, where sacred
concerts are given on Sunday night,
md vast quantities of lager beer sold
10 those who frequent the halls.
There is every style OF entertainment,
rom the mind reading performances
o the concerts in aid Of various peo-
pie in want and to the concerts at the
saloons, which are little better than
variety entertainments.
How many 90 to church,
They may 20 early in the morning,
Is least the women do. A majority
II the men, however, prefer to amuse
themselves on Sundays, New York
,rs are without doubt an amusement
owing people, and Sunday is becom-
ng more and more day of amuse-
nont. And they manage to get as
much amusement out of life as any
people in the world. Perhaps | am
wrong, but this is only the result Of
i i 4. NJ